MLB Player News

Roupp has become the leading candidate for San Francisco's fifth-starter role and appears set to win a roster spot either in the rotation or as a long reliever, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Roupp has had an impressive spring so far, tossing 8.1 scoreless innings with an 11:1 K:BB. Meanwhile Kyle Harrison has struggled this spring (12.27 ERA). There's still time for the race to shift, but Roupp merits a look in deeper fantasy formats. Roupp's sinker-curveball approach induces ground balls and could make him an interesting home streaming candidate at spacious Oracle Park.

Harrison has fallen behind Landen Roupp this spring in the competition for the Giants' fifth-starter role, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. Harrison has given up five runs in 3.2 innings this spring with a 5:1 K:BB.

Harrison reached a maximum velocity of 92.3 mph in his last spring outing. He had said before spring training that he's rediscovered his fastball velocity after the pitch dipped below 93 mph on average last season, but that hasn't shown up yet this spring. If he doesn't make the rotation, he's a candidate for the bullpen but could also be kept as a starter at Triple-A.

Sanchez struck out four over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on two hits.

Sanchez poured in 27 strikes out of his 36 pitches in his third start of the spring Friday, registering a 42.1 percent whiff rate. The 28-year-old left-hander was an All-Star for the first time in 2024, and he's now given up just two runs to go with a 12:1 K:BB across 7.2 frames during his impressive start to spring training. It's also worth noting that Sanchez has experienced a bump in velocity thus far, with his sinker averaging 97 mph Friday, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.

The Rockies optioned Molina to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Molina appeared in two spring training games for the Rockies and allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. He'll start the 2025 campaign in the minors, and he'll look to perform well enough to get a call-up to the majors should the Rockies need another arm out of the bullpen. Molina posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 59.2 innings for Colorado during the 2024 regular season.

The Nationals optioned Henry to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

The right-hander missed the entire second half of the 2024 campaign due to a lat injury and has transitioned to long relief for 2025. Henry made five starts for Double-A Harrisburg last year prior to the injury and had a 3.95 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB across 13.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Lara to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Lara is one of Washington's top prospects and was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to shield him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB across 99 innings.

Miller (head) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It will be his first time facing hitters since he was struck in the head by a comebacker back on Feb. 20. Miller has been out of concussion protocol for a few days, but it's not clear when he might be ready to return to games. The right-hander is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Parker (neck) threw a bullpen session Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Parker had to be scratched from a scheduled appearance in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to neck stiffness. However, he appears to be feeling better and should be cleared to return to game action soon. Parker is competing for a spot in the Nationals' rotation.

The Cardinals optioned Hence to Double-A Springfield on Friday.

The right-hander is one of the organization's top prospects and was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Hence was limited to 79.2 innings last season at Springfield due to back and lat discomfort, but he was dominant when available with a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB. Returning to the Double-A level is a bit of a surprise, and it shouldn't be long before he's bumped up to Triple-A Memphis.

The Diamondbacks optioned Elbis to Double-A Amarillo on Friday.

The 22-year-old was in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he was never a likely bet to actually make the Opening Day roster. Elbis had a 2.69 ERA in 16 starts at High-A Hillsboro last year before being promoted to Amarillo, where he had a 4.57 ERA across 45.1 innings.